The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Cashius Howell NFL Draft Profile.
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Position: Edge Rusher
School: Texas A&M
Size: 6-foot-2, 248 pounds
Class: Senior
2025 stats: 31 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 6 Passes Defended, 1 Forced Fumble
Howell was a three-star recruit who signed with Bowling Green out of Missouri in the class of 2021. He played sparingly in his first two seasons, registering just two sacks. In 2023, Howell broke out with 10.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks for the Falcons. He transferred to Texas A&M for the 2024 season and impressed as part of a deep defensive line rotation. Howell had 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2024. For the 2025 season, he helped Texas A&M make the CFP with his 14 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.
Following the CFP, Howell declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a first round pick.
Howell has great burst at the snap, which really puts pressure on offensive linemen. He times the snap well and has great acceleration to start a play. His acceleration turns into speed and it puts offensive linemen in scramble mode. Howell’s early success on plays can help him against both the run and the pass.
His athleticism is great for the position as well. He has great acceleration and converts it into speed. Howell also has good agility and flexibility, demonstrating the ability to bend around the edge. When he is in open space, he is able to show good pursuit speed to track down ball carriers.
He has good pass-rush moves that help him win his matchups. Howell showed a spin, long-arm, ghost and a hump move during his college career. He has some nice counters to go with them. Howell can win with his athleticism and flexibility or with his pass rush moves as a technician.
Howell doesn’t have the size, strength and length coveted for most edge rushers. He stands at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, which makes him vastly undersized. Howell also has shorter arms for the position, which makes it harder for him to shed blocks. He can add some strength to help his game, but he may not have too much more room to fill out his frame.
He has below-average run defense for an NFL edge rusher. Howell doesn’t have great play strength and it impacts his ability to both set the edge and anchor. Offensive tackles don’t have much trouble moving him. He can vacate his gap to try to get around the blocks, but can miss the play in the process.
His ability to stay on the field for all three downs is questionable. He doesn’t hold up against the run. If he doesn’t improve his run defense, he could just be a situational pass rusher. That hurts his value and some teams may not want to take a player who will not play a large percentage of the snaps.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick
Draft Grade: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
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